The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-08
AMIMPSE OF THELElDERS
WHO USE THE CONGRESSIONAL
LIBRARY.
Novel Banting Cure Recommended
TO President Cleveland to Get
Bid OF Obesity.
looRArspoxDHScE OF TIM APPEAL.l

WASHINGTON, d. G. May 6.-I
had very pleasant conversation one
evening this week with lady who
had ipent the past season in soci-
ETY." here, as she has done for sew
eral previous winters. She is lady
who lives in her own house in Wash
ington and entertains generously, but
not extravsgantly, and her social po-
sition is so well established that she
is equally at home in the official,
diplomatic and old resident circles
of society at the national capital.
Her experience and excellent judg-
ment also qualify her to speak intel
ligently Of the subject upon which
our conversation turned.
"Yes," she said. lit is true, as you
know, that official society takes its
tone from the administration. 1.-THE
lady of the White House is woman
who, by nature, or by training and
experience, is leader, her influence
viii be seen in almost every gather
ing at the houses of government
officers, or Of those who follow their
lead. OF late years, however, the
fashion has usually been set by the
family of some members of the Cab
met rather than by the First Lady.
In President Grants time it was at
the house of Secretary Fish that the
best official society was met, and the
air of solid old Knickerbocker re-
spectability. coupled with the abb
sence of vulgar display which per-
vaded the entertainments there,
marked in greater or less degree
most others. There was one winter
when sharp rivalry led to a series Of
wildly extravagant parties for those
days, but political events that fol-
lowed close upon its heels sobered
society down before the next season
opened.
Mrs. Cleveland is a most charm
ing young woman. OF course there
is not society lady in Washington
who does not envy her her position,
but she completely disarmse jalousy,
everybody who knows her loves her,
but she is not the leader in Wash
ington society-that position had
been taken by the Whitneys be-
fore Mrs. Cleveland came to Wash
ington, and l don't think she OBJ
lee 8.
What tone have the Whitncys
given, do you ask2 Well, you never
saw greater anxiety than Washing
ton society showed last winter to be
remembered by the Whitneys, but,
under the rose, you know, some of
those who ate their terrapin and
drank their wine were anything but
complim entary in their comments.
If you wish to know my opinion, I
think there was more display than
refinement at the Whitneys; more
extravaganza than good breeding.
One effect was to make most parties
given by others plain and colorless
by contrast. Then, you've seen
something in the newspapers about
the prominence of certain divorced
women ia society last winter. Well,
1t is true, and one always found them
at the Whitneys. People of delicate
sensibilities complained of lack of
refinement there; aud the baby's
christening came in for share Of the
adverse criticism.
"Oh, yes, the young fellows Of the
foreign legations we're courted by the
foolish young girls in society as much
rs ever last winter. A foreign title,
you know, covers q multitude of sins
and debts, too, sometimes. | have
no doubt it is true--I heard it from
good authority-that some of these
rich young ladies lent to these for
eigners considerable sums of money,
which they never expected to have
repaid; the fellows couldn't make an
appearance in society without money,
OF course, and they are not above Dor
rowing. BY lending to them the girls
secured their attention, for time at
least.
Everybody in Washington looks
forward to very gay season next
winter. There's a great deal of
money being made. The season at
the national capital will probably
be a long one-it is expected that
there will be an extra session of Con
gress in October, you kuow-and
every year the number of wealthy
people who spend the winter in
Washington increases. There, I've
said more than | meant to; don t say
that I told it,"